Are Fermions and Bosons Responsible for the Force Behind a Punch?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the nature of forces involved in a punch, specifically examining the roles of fermions and bosons in these interactions. Participants consider the underlying physics, including electromagnetic interactions and the exchange of particles, while addressing the implications of muscle mass on the force delivered in a punch.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the force behind a punch is due to bosons being emitted and clashing or if actual boson particles are colliding.
  • Another participant explains that contact forces arise from electromagnetic interactions, specifically through the electrostatic repulsion of electrons, and suggests that this can be viewed as virtual photons being exchanged.
  • A participant seeks clarification on whether the interaction can be simplified to just photons being distributed.
  • One participant introduces the concept of "back momentum," arguing that it plays a role in the impact of a punch and affects how force propagates through materials.
  • A question is raised about whether "back momentum" accounts for why individuals with more muscle can deliver harder punches, linking muscle mass to increased force and acceleration.
  • A later reply reiterates the connection between muscle mass, force, and punch intensity, suggesting that more muscle generally allows for a harder punch.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the specifics of particle interactions during a punch, particularly regarding the roles of bosons and the nature of force propagation. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on the mechanics involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on various interpretations of quantum field theory and the nature of forces, with some assumptions about the behavior of particles and interactions remaining unexamined.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying physics, particularly in the areas of particle physics, quantum field theory, and mechanics, as well as individuals curious about the physical principles behind everyday actions like punching.

robertroman10
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Just wondering...

If the interactions between fermions are the emittance of a boson (from what I understand from the grand design book by stephen hawking) then when you punch someone, is it just high levels of bosons being emmited and clashing or are the actual boson particles colliding?
 
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Contact forces are the result of the electromagnetic interaction. It's probably easiest and most appropriate to understand contact forces as arising from the electrostatic repulsion of the electrons in the atoms on the surfaces of the two objects in contact. From the viewpoint of QFT, these static fields can be understood as virtual photons being exchanged by the electrons.
 


So its just photons being distributed?
 


Not exactly. There is an obvious "back momentum" effect.
Else a result of impact could never happen.

Because of the electromagnetic interaction, the force "wave" propogates at the speed of sound in that material.
 


So does this "back momentum" explain why someone with more muscle would punch harder, as they would be able to put more back momentum into their swing?
 


robertroman10 said:
So does this "back momentum" explain why someone with more muscle would punch harder, as they would be able to put more back momentum into their swing?

More muscle allows (generally) more force to be put into a punch and quicker acceleration. The increase equals a harder punch.
 

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